Frizzle in winter

[trista85]

I don’t want to get pounced on for saying this ... but you could set her up inside for winter but just know getting her back with the flock will be a process.

Just a thought and you can weigh the pros and cons... a dog kennel would work well

I would totally consider this, but I have 2 indoor cats, she’s already pretty timid and I’m not sure how well she would do with reintroduction, and lastly- my husband is firm about “no house chickens”

 

[trista85]

Actually if you allow animals to acclimate to falling temperatures and don't interfere with that process the coat will thicken up. A chicken will develop a winter coat. Providing extra heat interferes with that process, and leaves birds vulnerable to the elements.

I only considered adding heat to my coop last winter when it was consistently below 0 for two weeks. I didn’t, (those heat panels are pricey) just kept an eye on things and everyone wasn’t fine. Oddly I’ve lost more birds due to my a-hole neighbors than to cold weather. I just wonder about the frizzle since what I’ve read says that due to the feather twisting they don’t trap heat as well.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

If you heat your coop and then you have a power outage your birds can die from the shock of being exposed to temperatures that they aren’t properly feathered for.

 

[snow5164]

If you heat your coop and then you have a power outage your birds can die from the shock of being exposed to temperatures that they aren’t properly feathered for.

I doubt anyone’s heating their coops to a hot temperature and keeping the doors closed. In15 years I’ve had one power outage and we just didn’t open the coop door til it came back on,no big deal.

That theory is silly we also might get a tornado and all be dead..now that’s dramatic !!. , our hens are in and out all winter keeping your coop above freezing won’t hurt them .

If the molting in fall and new feathers growing back is what keeps them warm they’ll be fine .

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I only considered adding heat to my coop last winter when it was consistently below 0 for two weeks. I didn’t, (those heat panels are pricey) just kept an eye on things and everyone wasn’t fine. Oddly I’ve lost more birds due to my a-hole neighbors than to cold weather. I just wonder about the frizzle since what I’ve read says that due to the feather twisting they don’t trap heat as well.

We can get down into the -20 Fahrenheit, with -40 wind chills. 0 degrees is a warm day here. I don't let my bantams out during temperatures below -10 usually. The coop isn't necessarily warmer, but it is draft free. I've seen no problems with my frizzles, and I used to have silkies too.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I tagged @Brahma Chicken5000 because you most likely have the same type of weather and I know he has a frizzle or frazzle .
My brahma was still molting in the winter when the subzero temps were going on and we do not heat. They were in a prefab too.
The heat or no heat during the winter is a big debate here on byc.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I doubt anyone’s heating their coops to a hot temperature and keeping the doors closed. In15 years I’ve had one power outage and we just didn’t open the coop door til it came back on,no big deal.

That theory is silly we also might get a tornado and all be dead..now that’s dramatic !!. , our hens are in and out all winter keeping your coop above freezing won’t hurt them .

If the molting in fall and new feathers growing back is what keeps them warm they’ll be fine .

Providing heat to your coop is a personal decision. I personally prefer not to worry about the risks of fires. The OP wanted to know if frizzles were hardy because many say they are not. In my experiences they are just fine without heat in a good coop, and can go outside all winter on nice days.

There's no need to defend your use of heat. Your flock, your choice.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

my neighbors have frizzles and they don't even have a good coop. it is a un-insulated shed with no ventilation. I am by NO MEANS saying this is a good idea, but I am assuring you they should be fine.... I personally am heating my coop in the winter though.

 

[HAPPYCHICKENLADY17]

I’ll startby saying up front that I live in Vermont, and the frizzle wasn’t a planned purchase- she came in a random assortment of bantams I picked up this spring.

That said, I have a well insulated but unheated coop. Is there something I can do to make sure my little girl stays warm this winter? I’ve seen the sweaters, but I’ve also heard they’re not a good idea. She’s the only one I’ve got with this type of feathering so I’m also not sure about putting in a heat lamp. Any advice?

i love your little frizzle, i have one just like her and she is a sweetheart